Finite element analyses of the stress approx. deformation behavior considering the execution procedures during shield work

During shield work, the shield machine is driven forward by using the mechanical jacks behind the machine and the excavated soil in front of the cutting face is taken into the machine. In order to analyze the ground behavior during shield work considering the execution procedures, it is necessary to simulate the advance of the shield machine and the excavation. In this study, excavating elements arranged in front of the cutting face is newly proposed, which models the ground disturbed by cutting. The advance of the shield machine and the excavation is simulated by using excavating elements and rearrangement of finite element meshes. The stress approx. deformation behavior of soil during shield work was examined in detail, based on the comparison between the results of F.E. analyses considering the execution procedures and the field measurement results.